It’s like an out-of-body experience. “I’ll have a vodka tonic, please.” I need to be alert, but not that alert. If I get any more aware of my surroundings, I’ll explode. Maybe I can hide out here for a bit, and when a large group of people leaves, I’ll file out with them.
Florence pours my drink and sets it down in front of me. Without a second thought, I grab it and down it like a shot. The burn hits my throat, and I hold back a cough.
“Rough night?” Florence asks with raised brows.
Wiping my eyes, I set the glass back on the counter. “You could say that.” Another glance tells me I’m still in the clear. I exhale a steadying breath, forcing my shoulders to relax.
Florence rolls her lips inward. “I have a feeling you’re in for the night of your life.”
“What?”
I follow her line of sight to the staircase and spot two identical furious men. They separate, scanning the room. Sitting forward on my stool, I rub my chest. Maybe if I sit perfectly still, I won’t draw their attention…
Dumbest idea ever. I’m not an ostrich burying their head in the sand.
Okay. I need a plan.
I’m faster than they are. I could bolt for the stairs, taking them by surprise.
Is there another option?
No.
Here goes nothing…
CHAPTER FORTY
KNOX
Worst night ever.
Maybe we should’ve been more transparent with Raven, but now that’s just wishful thinking. And unfortunately for her, we’re not giving her a choice in this. She’s not going anywhere.
When Griffin and I chased Raven down the road, I questioned if she’d been a runner in a previous life. I was just happy to see Raven run for the bar and not head for town. That would’ve been dangerous running down a road like that into town. And she would have been in a world of trouble if she had chosen that route. Just the thought of Raven in danger has the edges of my vision tingeing with red.
I was only a few seconds behind Raven, but when I got through the entrance of The Wandering Raven, she was lost in the flood of people having a good time. Griffin and I searched every inch of the place, leading us to the conclusion that there was only one other place she could be…
Downstairs.
Once again, I had an “I told you so” moment with my earlier self. We should have been more forthcoming. But we are wherewe are, and from here on, we will make it perfectly clear to Raven that no matter what, she can’t get rid of us. There’s nowhere she can run; there’s nowhere she can hide that we won’t find her.
Now, Griffin and I are searching for Raven amongst the many gamblers of our hidden basement.
Griffin meanders between the poker tables while I inspect the bar. With each step closer to the bar, the stronger the ache in my chest becomes.
She’s here. I know it.
Letting my instincts be my guide, I elbow my way through the rowdy people watching the games and races on the TVs. It doesn’t take me long to find her. Raven’s long hair is unmistakable.
I watch as she plants her feet on the floor, placing her hands on the bar. Her shoulders move up and down, readying herself. I smile at her tenacity.
Sorry, Darlin’. Not this time.
Stepping backward, I keep my eyes on her as I leave the crowd. She wants to make this a game? We’ll make it a game.
I nod to Griffin, then tip my head in Raven’s direction. He reads me easily and comes right to my side. He raises his brows in question, and I reply with a smirk. Griffin draws his head back, blinking, and I nod my head again. He smiles with a shake of his head.
Most don’t understand our nonverbal communication. That’s okay. They’re not meant to. We’ve always been this way. It’s just something we do.
